On Saturday 24 October 2009, the British Deaf History Society (BDHS) held  their Annual General Meeting at the Bantock House Museum, which is situated at Finchfield Road, Wolverhampton. Robin Ash, Community Development Manager for the Deaf Cultural Centre was elected as Trustee for the BDHS. The BDHS's Chair, John Hay, who is on the board of directors for the Deaf Cultural Centre, was also re-elected for another term.

Robin also had an exhibition stand from which information about bid services and the Deaf Cultural Centre were distributed to the visitors. This was to promote and raise awareness about both organisations. bid services' "Hands at Work" DVD, a signed video exploring deaf people's working lives in the 1920s - 1940s, were also given out. The development and production of this video was funded by Heritage Lottery and formed part of the Deaf Heritage Project. There is no charge for a copy of this DVD, complete with subtitles, and can be obtained from bid services.

The aim of the event was for BDHS membes to find out about the society's work over the past year on all aspects of deaf history. The guest speaker was Helen Steatham, curator and manager of the Bantock House Museum who explained about her exciting and innovative project on improving access for deaf people when they go to museums and galleries. She told us about the implementation of the PDA which has proved to be a great success for deaf visitors. When they go to the Bantock House Museum, they collect a PDA from reception and follow the signed version of the information about the museum on it.

She also highlighted the benefits of liaising with other organisations, one of which was the Deaf Cultural Centre when an exhibition, previously exhibited at the museum was then shown at the Ladywood Road venue for 3 months. This brought deaf history to the general public and generated interest with memories for the deaf visitors.

Click on the following links to find out more about the Bantock House Museum and the BDHS.